---
title: Understanding Inspections
description: "**Inspections as an Element of Organizational Safety** A key element of organizational safety is mitigation of risk. Inspections are integral to consistently assessing safety risks at your organization. **What is a Safety Inspection?**A safety inspection is a systematic examination of…"
url: "https://docs.safetymatters.io/docs/understanding-inspections/"
updated: "2024-06-07"
category: Inspections
---

# Understanding Inspections

**Inspections as an Element of Organizational Safety**
A key element of organizational safety is mitigation of risk. Inspections are integral to consistently assessing safety risks at your organization.

**What is a Safety Inspection?**A safety inspection is a systematic examination of a workplace, facility, equipment, or process to identify potential hazards, risks, and safety violations. The primary purpose of a safety inspection is to ensure that the environment is safe for workers, visitors, and the general public. During a safety inspection, trained individuals evaluate various aspects of the workplace, including:

*Physical conditions*: This includes inspecting the condition of buildings, structures, floors, lighting, ventilation, and emergency exits to ensure they meet safety standards.
*Equipment*: Inspecting machinery, tools, and other equipment to identify any defects, malfunctions, or safety hazards.
*Safety* *procedures*: Reviewing safety protocols, emergency response plans, and employee training to ensure compliance with regulations and best practices.
*Hazardous* *materials*: Identifying and assessing the handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous substances to prevent accidents and environmental damage.
*Compliance with regulations*: Ensuring that the workplace adheres to relevant safety regulations, codes, and standards set by government agencies or industry organizations.
After the inspection, a report is typically generated detailing any deficiencies or areas of concern, along with recommendations for corrective actions. Addressing these issues helps mitigate risks, prevent accidents, and promotes a safer working environment.

Safety Matters allows you to do the following related to inspections:
- Create Categorized Safety Checklists
- Attach photos and comments to each issue
- View inspection history of each facility
- Review status of any inspection at any time
- Print, share, and submit inspection reports

To learn more about how to set up or complete an inspection on the Safety Matters App, click here.